Island Life - Earth Day

In the mythology of the ancient Hawai?ians, Papahanaumoku is a goddess and the Earth Mother. For Hawai?ians, nature is a sacred, healing space for body, mind, and spirit. To my absolute delight, Earth Day this year falls on my kids’ Spring Break.

For me, Hawai?i isn’t simply another Island Paradise vacation. It represents a part of my family history. With the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act, immigrants from China were detained on Angel Island from 1910-1940 – my relatives were among them. While some of them were allowed through, others were turned away but instead of making the long trip back to China, they settled in Hawai?i. Four generations of aunties, uncles and cousins later – ‘Island Life’ has become a core value, one I am very consciously trying to teach my own children.??

What does ‘Island Life’ mean to me? It is not simply the vacation mode so many seek when they visit islands – the umbrella drink by a pool or smell of sunscreen and endless sunsets - it’s all of what sits behind making those things possible.??

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?

Reducing waste should be the primary goal of living in a circular ecosystem on an island. Island communities can achieve this by reducing their consumption and reusing and recycling resources as much as possible. Strategies such as composting, recycling, and upcycling can help to reduce the amount of waste produced and ensure that valuable resources are not lost.?

Whether we are bringing a reusable bag with us at all times from the grocery store to the beach, the ecosystem on an island is so much more evident in daily life. Minimizing plastics and reducing your waste while on an island is a good reminder of how much of an impact one person or family can have on an ecosystem.?

Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture practices such as regenerative farming, permaculture, and agroforestry can help island communities to produce food while also preserving natural resources. These practices prioritize soil health and biodiversity, which are critical components of a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.?

Biodiversity. With over 25,000 unique species, Hawai?i is one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. A large percentage of these species are only found here and while the number of species is impressive, these birds, insects, mammals and plants live in a delicate balance. Each species’ survival depends on a host of other species. (Source: Nature. pbs.org ).?Earth Mother is counting on us to us to maintain this delicate ecological balance for future generations to enjoy the island life just like we do today.?

Compost or not to compost? On the mainland, much of the focus is on the benefits of composting. But here on the islands, you have an abundant source of lava that is enormously good for the soil. Together with composting, it’s no wonder that the rich soil provides a rich bounty to those who look after the land.? Taking care of the land means we also take care of future generations to come.

Think Local – Buy Local?

Continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. The more that you can take care of the community, the more vibrant the community will be. Look out for your local craft fair or famers market, they are plentiful on any island and take a moment to learn how resourceful island nations can be with their abundance of natural resources. Here's a Pala ?Ie I made on my recent trip.

Islands are some of the most vulnerable places in the world when it comes to climate change. ?Reduce/Reuse/Recycle, Sustainable Agriculture, and Think Local – Buy Local are just a few of ways we can do our part to respect the people and the land.

So on this Earth Day, maybe you too are enjoying life on an island, or maybe you can consider one for your next holiday. I hope next time you find yourself on an island you help contribute to the circular ecosystem and help to preserve and protect all the beauty of Island Life.??